AS I said in the last posting, our Identification to Christ described in Romans 6 is not discussed much. But in our study of Principles of Spiritual Growth in chapter 8 titled Identification, our author draws statements and quotations from various writers, presenting them without comment to provide for us with much to consider. Again, I believe it is fruitful to take time and prayerfully read what is provided in the context of Romans 6, looking at the surrounding scriptures to see what can be gleaned for our instruction.
I THINK it helpful at this point to draw from the doctrinal teaching of the Westminster Larger Catechism statement found in Question 77.
WLC Q. 77. Wherein do justification and sanctification differ?
A. Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification [a], yet they differ, in that God in justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ [b]; in sanctification of his Spirit infuseth grace, and enableth to the exercise thereof [c]; in the former, sin is pardoned [d]; in the other, it is subdued [e]: the one doth equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation [f] the other is neither equal in all [g], nor in this life perfect in any [h], but growing up to perfection [i].
- 1Cor. 6:11; 1:30
- Rom. 4:6, 8
- Ezek. 36:27
- Rom. 3:24-25
- Rom. 6:6, 14
- Rom. 8:33-34
- 1John 2:12-14; Heb. 5:12-14
- 1John 1:8, 10
- 2Cor. 7:1; Phil. 3:12-14
I UNDERSCORED the words referring to sin being “subdued”. Notice how the writers draw upon Roman 6: 6 & 14, that sin shall not have dominion over you, in that we have been crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. It is interesting to note, that this is not just a New Testament principle, but one the Lord has always had in mind for those that belong to Him. This concept is found in Psalm 119:133, Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. It would be good to meditate upon WLC Q75 & 78 as well, “What is Sanctification?” and “Whence ariseth the imperfection of sanctification in believers?” Here is the link to WSC Question #35 on this site, which contains WLC Q’s 75 – 78 as part of that study:
https://captivethoughts.net/westminster-shorter-catechism-q35/
SO, with that we’ll pick-up the topic from where we left off, continuing our consideration of what it means to be identified or in union with Christ through His perfect work on the cross. Again, it is prudent to think on Paul’s words on the matter from Gal 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.
With highest regards in Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa. 30:15; Jas. 1:2
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Chapter 8—Identification – Part 2
J. Hudson Taylor: “Since Christ has thus dwelt in my heart by faith, how happy I have been! I am dead and buried with Christ—ay, and risen too! And now Christ lives in me, and ‘the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me’ [Gal. 2:20]. Nor should we look upon this experience, these truths, as for the few. They are the birthright of every child of God, and no one can dispense with them without dishonoring our Lord” (Spiritual Secret, p. 116).
L.E. Maxwell: “Believers in Christ were joined to Him at the cross, united to Him in death and resurrection. We died with Christ. He died for us, and we died with Him. This is a great fact, true of all believers” (Christian Victory, p. 11).
Norman B. Harrison: “This is the distinctive mark of the Christian—the experience of the cross. Not merely that Christ died for us, but that we died with Him. ‘Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him’ (Rom. 6:6)” (His Side Versus Our Side, p. 40).
Alexander R. Hay: “The believer has been united with Christ in His death. In this union with Christ, the flesh, ‘the body of sin’—the entire fallen, sin-ruined being with its intelligence, will and desires—is judged and crucified. By faith, the believer reckons (counts) himself ‘dead unto sin’ (Rom. 6:3-14)” (1V.T. Order for Church & Missionary, p. 310).
J. Penn-Lewis: “If the difference between ‘Christ dying for us,’ and ‘our dying with Him,’ has not been recognized, acknowledged, and applied, it may safely be affirmed that the self is still the dominating factor in the life” (Memoir, p. 26) ….to be continued
